My first meeting with Professor Stephen Shipps did not go well. In my defense, I was only sixteen at the time. But Professor Shipps is not a man to be trifled with, and I most certainly trifled. Seconds before he announced my name and program to the jury at the 1994 American String Teachers Association national […]
Which violin concerto has the toughest opening?
Editor’s note: The original version of this post was missing several concertos, each of which was pointed out by my faithful readers. I have now added the most requested, including one that was frequently touted as “the hardest ever”! Just know that I read all of your comments, so I hope that this expanded version […]
Beautiful violin tone with the one-minute bow (VIDEO)
Even Mozart’s dad made him practice long tones Whether you call it a long tone, son filé, a one-minute bow or just a royal pain, this exercise has been around for centuries. Leopold Mozart, the most famous violin teacher of his time, insisted on the importance of developing a beautiful sound through practicing extremely long bows lasting a […]
The New York Phil violin audition Challenge
Note: This Challenge accompanied a 2015 New York audition. For help with the 2018 New York audition, click here! On November 12, 2015, the New York Philharmonic will hold the final round of auditions for its four violin openings. Those violinists competing there that day will be among the most accomplished in the world. They will have […]